Rallye Sunseeker Stand Now Full

The stand the Dorset Car Club has booked for Rallye Sunseeker is now full.

Thanks to all who have made the commitment, and sorry to those who couldnt make up their mind, as we only have 8 passes that have now all been allocated.

All attending cars, please bring your own cups / mugs and plates. Freedom, Astronomical and Jako will be bringing burners to heat the water, so please also bring what you like to drink and eat plus a bit. A great big DCC Picnic (Thats the world famous DCC BBQ without the flames!)will be had by all.

Jako, Freedom and Astronomical will be bringing gazeebos, so if you want to sit down, then please bring your own seats!

Flags and banners and anything else to make the club stand look better than anyone elses will be great.

Taz is the official photographer, so any poses (Pete) and nice car / van shots will be more than catered for. Last year Taz and I took over 700 pictures betwween us. 2 or 3 were quite good!

I will be leaving meeting place details on the Facebook events page for your information.

Any problems or you cant go, let me know soonest, and dont forget I do need payment, £10 per car soonest.

Thanks and drive safe.

The American Dream, Poole Quay

OK here it is, hot off the presses .... The American Dream will be staged at Poole Quay on Friday 27th August 2010.

Usual things apply, no parking on the Quay until the road is closed at 6pm. The quay then needs to be cleared for 9pm.

All vehicles must be road legal and drivers have the appropriate licences.

Any vehicle larger than a 1050's Caddy or new Day Van please call Anne at Poole Tourism on 01202 262 537.



Usual meeting points, if you want, will be at:

McDonalds at Wessex Gate, just off the Holes Bay Relief Road, leaving at 5.50. A slow cruise gets you onto the Quay for 6pm.

Baiter Car Park, the first one with the slip way, leave at 5.50, again to get to the Quay at about 6pm.

Stopping Distances

How much further do you have to allow in your stopping distances when the road is wet?

And how much further when its icy? Pupils text me with your answers, then this is on for your theory test.

Drive safe, Chris.

Cancelled lessons.

To my pupils, Sorry to have cancelled lessons over the last couple of days, but the weather has been just too bad. I will call you all next week, to rebook the lessons. If you do go out for a drive, please be real careful.

Chris your KISS Instructor, 07887 744 163

Snow Driving!

So, it has snowed. What should you do now?

1. Get equipped

Carrying a few extra items in your car could be helpful in the event of a breakdown. Here are ten essential items:
• Scraper and de-icer, to keep your windows clear.
• Warning triangle, to give some notice to others if you have a problem.
• First aid kit, you never know!
• Reflective clothing and a torch (jackets, armbands and stickers, see and be seen
• Boots, wet shoes are not comfortable
• Jump leads, if the battery dies.
• Food and a warm flask of water, Mmmmmmmm!
• Mobile phone with breakdown firm contact details, make sure you are a member
• Tow rope and shovel
• Blanket, to keep warm.

2. Check your car
1. Check the coolant tank under your car’s bonnet once a week or before long journeys. If the level is below the minimum and maximum marks on the coolant reservoir, it’s too low, and add some more, of the right stuff.
2. Use a rag to remove the cap if hot, and take care not to spill any coolant – it can damage your skin and your car’s paintwork.
3. Refill with a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze – this helps prevent your car’s engine block cracking due to freezing.
4. Anti-freeze testers indicate how much the car temperature can fall before the water will freeze.
5. Check your tyres’ tread depth. The legal requirement is 1.6mm all round the tyre, but at least 3mm will provide better grip in snowy conditions.
6. Make sure the tyres are at the correct preessure, as found in your vehicle handbook.
7. Check for any damage or foreign objects stuck in the tyres.

3. De-ice your windows

Driving with an unclear windscreen could result in a fine of up to £1,000 for restricted vision, so follow these tips to make sure your car is fit to drive:
1. Switch on the engine and turn your heaters up gradually to de-mist the windows.
2. If you have air-conditioning, switch it on (most cars will do this automatically when you turn on the defroster).
3. Brush snow off the windscreen, mirrors and windows.
4. Gently lift the windscreen wipers off the glass and replace to ensure they’re not stuck.
5. Spray de-icer onto the windscreen.
6. Use a scraper to remove frost and ice from the windscreen

Stay near your car when de-icing. Lock your doors, switch the engine off and put the handbrake on. Cars left running and unlocked are more exposed to theft.

Avoid using hot water to de-ice your car – this can refreeze or shatter the glass.

4. Drive safely in snow and ice
1. Check for signs of ice before driving – most modern cars have ice warning lights and temperature gauges. Anything below three degrees centigrade means ice is likely.
2. If conditions are particularly bad, ask yourself whether you need to travel.
3. Stopping distances are ten times longer in snow, so keep manoeuvres gentle. Try and keep to major roads rather than smaller, quiet roads.
4. If your tyres suddenly become quiet, this could be a sign you’re driving on ice, so take great care and slow down.
5. Look out for salt spreaders and snow ploughs. Both flash amber beacons and will drive at less than 40mph. Avoid overtaking unless it’s safe to do so – the grit can chip your car’s paintwork.
6. Avoid revving the engine in thick snow – this could cause the wheels to dig deeper into the snow.
7. Put the car into its highest gear and lightly manoeuvre the car forwards and backwards to slowly creep out of the snow.

5. Avoiding skidding

Skidding is often caused by a combination of poor weather conditions and speeding. To avoid it, make sure you:

• Leave plenty of room between you and the car in front
• Drive slowly and carefully
• Brake steadily before approaching a corner, and well in advance
• Avoid over-steering and accelerating suddenly mid-turn

If your vehicle loses grip while turning, depress the clutch and turn the steering wheel into the direction of the skid. Avoid braking suddenly – this can lock the wheels and prolong the skid.

Some new cars feature ESP which can counter the drivers efforts to regain control. So either leave the ESP off or leave the job of controlling the skid entirely to the ESP.

What to do if you get caught in a snowdrift.

If you get completely stuck in snow, remain in the car and call for help, unless help is visible within 100 yards. It’s a good idea to tie something brightly coloured to your aerial.

In deep snow, avoid pushing a car or shovelling snow.

What to do if you get stuck on ice

Try to drive gently in a higher gear to avoid wheelspin, and avoid harsh braking and acceleration. If you start to skid, gently ease off the accelerator and avoid braking.

If braking is necessary, pump the brakes - don't slam them hard. Try to stop in a safe place and call for help.